[1] Cleveland Cavaliers 107-90 [8] Detroit Pistons [Cleveland leads series 2-0]
After a close call in Game 1, the Cleveland Cavaliers made sure they did not need the last two minutes of Game 2 to seal the deal. Behind a dominant defensive effort in the third quarter, where they outscored the Detroit Pistons 27-15, the Cavs cruised to victory in Game 2.
LeBron James put up efficient numbers of 27 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals on 12 of 18 shooting.
Having a 2-0 series lead, Cleveland is virtually already in the second round as they have never lost a Playoff series after leading 2-0. On the flip side, the Pistons have never clawed their way back from a 2-0 deficit in franchise history, making their elimination all but certain. There’s also this:
All five starters scored in double figures for the Pistons led by Reggie Jackson’s 14 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists. En route to the Game 2 win, the Cavs shot 20 three pointers, tying a NBA Playoff record:
The Pistons can still compete but this series is more or less done not just based on the two games so far but also historically. LeBron James’ teams have never lost a series after leading 2-0. James has now won 15 straight first round games leading back to 2012 when he represented the Miami Heat against the New York Knicks.
Game 3 will be played on Friday at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit.
[3] Miami Heat 115-103 [6] Charlotte Hornets [Miami leads series 2-0]
Either the Miami Heat offense is firing all cylinders or the Charlotte Hornets are just not playing defense. The Heat after their Game 2 win became the only team in NBA Playoff history to score 115+ points in consecutive games since Orlando Magic did so in 1996.
The Heat’s halftime score of 72 points was how much the Boston Celtics had scored in the all of Game 2 against the Atlanta Hawks and four more than how many the Memphis Grizzlies scored in their Game 2.
Charlotte Hornets’ guard Kemba Walker scored 21 of his 29 points in the first half still it wasn’t enough. He and Al Jefferson (25 points) were the Hornets’ player to show up. All other players in the team’s rotation was either having a tough shooting night or were in foul trouble.
The team’s Small Forward Marvin Williams, who is a crucial player on offense, failed to register a point shooting 0 of 10 from the field. For the home side, a vintage Dwyane Wade made an appearance with his 28 points and 8 assists night.
Center Hassan Whiteside dominated once again with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.
Note: Miami shot 57.9% from the field and 56.7 from beyond the arc.
Game 3 will be played on Saturday in Charlotte.
[4] Los Angeles Clippers 102-81 [5] Portland Trailblazers [Los Angeles leads series 2-0]
The Portland Trailblazers might be the best feel good story in the league but the Los Angeles Clippers seem to have their number. The Clippers have beaten the Blazers five straight games with an average points margin of 13.8.
This is just bad match-up for the young Portland squad. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and the rest of the Clippers are far too experienced to not easily put away an inferior talented team.
For a second straight game, the Blazers relied on their back court of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum to carry them and for a second straight game they failed. Lillard and McCollum shot a combined 17 of 42 (40.4%) and were the reason for 6 of the team’s 11 turnovers.
Young center Mason Plumlee was the pick of the Portland squad registering 17 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 7 dimes.
Meanwhile for the Clips, Paul had 25 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists while DeAndre Jordan had just 3 points to along with 18 rebounds. Blake Griffin continued the run of good form since his return from injury with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
A huge talking point from this game was the Clips’ bench, which scored 42 points on the night, and their performance on both ends of the floor.
Game 3 will be played on Saturday at the Moda Center in Portland.
Top 5 plays:
LeBron James features in two of the night’s top five plays. Have a look:
Guess the Lakers players!
